Process for treating lipophilic fluid

ABSTRACT

Process for treating lipophilic fluids employing filters, more particularly, multifunctional filters that are capable of removing as well as adding components to lipophilic fluids being filtered are provided by the present invention.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 10/238,271, filed Sep. 10, 2002, which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/318,438, filed Sep. 10, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,761, Oct.18, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to processes for treating lipophilicfluids employing filters, more particularly, multifunctional filtersthat are capable of removing as well as adding components to lipophilicfluids being filtered are provided by the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional filter materials are good at removing particulates and/orother materials present in a filtrate. However, conventional filtermaterial manufacturers do not appreciate the opportunity of not onlyremoving agents from filtrates, but also adding agents to filtrates.

Accordingly, there is a need, especially in consumable filteringprocesses, for a filter that is capable of removing from and adding to afiltrate various agents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention fulfills the need described above by providing amultifunctional filter comprised of a filter material that is capable ofremoving from and adding to a filtrate coming into contact with thefilter material various agents.

In one aspect of the present invention, a filter comprising:

-   -   a. a removal component that is capable of removing a material        from a filtrate; and    -   b. an addition component that is capable of adding a material to        a filtrate is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, a filter comprising:

-   -   a. a housing comprising an in-flow port through which a filtrate        enters the filter and an out-flow port through which the        filtrate exits the filter;    -   b. a filtering material housed within said housing, wherein the        filtering material is pleated in a fanfold manner and positioned        within the filter such that the filtrate contacts the filtering        material as it passes from the in-flow port to the out-flow        port;    -   c. a removal component for removing a material from the        filtrate, wherein the removal component is dispersed throughout        and fixed to the filtering material; and    -   d. an addition component for adding a material to the filtrate        is provided.

In still another aspect of the present invention, an apparatuscomprising:

-   -   a. a filter according to the present invention; and    -   b. a filtrate source in fluid communication with the filter such        that the filtrate contacts the filter.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a process for treating afiltrate comprising contacting the filter according to with the presentinvention with the filtrate.

In still yet another aspect of the present invention, a filtrateproduced by the process according to the present invention.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a multifunctional filter, anapparatus employing such, a process using the multifunctional filter totreat a filtrate and a filtrate produced by such a process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, of one embodiment of amultifunctional filter in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the multifunctional filter of FIG. 1along line 2—2; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a multifunctionalfilter in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions

“Filter zone” as used herein means the zone in the filter cartridge thatcontains between the inlet and the outlet an adsorbent and or the filtermaterial.

The term “fabric article” used herein is intended to mean any articlethat is customarily cleaned in a conventional laundry process or in adry cleaning process. As such the term encompasses articles of clothing,linen, drapery, and clothing accessories. The term also encompassesother items made in whole or in part of fabric, such as tote bags,furniture covers, tarpaulins and the like.

The term “absorbent material” or “absorbent polymer” used herein isintended to mean any material capable of selectively absorbing oradsorbing water and/or water-containing liquids without absorbinglipophilic fluids as described in detail. In other words, absorbentmaterials or absorbent polymers comprise a water absorbing agent. In theart they may also be referred to as “responsive gels,” “gel,” and“polymeric gel.” For a list of phase changing gels, see the textbookResponsive Gels, Volume Transitions II, Ed K. Dusek, Springer VerlagBerlin, 1993 (herein incorporated by reference). See also,Thermo-responsive Gels, Radiat. Phys. Chem., Volume 46, No. 2, pp.185–190, Elsevier Science Ltd. Great Britain, 1995 (herein incorporatedby reference). Super absorbent polymers, also suitable for use with thepresent invention, are polymeric materials that have an absorptioncapacity at or above 5 grams/gram. See also, Superabsorbent PolymersScience and Technology, edited by Fredric L. Buchholz and Nicholas A.Peppas, American Chemical Society, Washington D.C., 1994 (particularlyChapter 9 by Tadao Shimomura and Takashi Namba entitled “Preparation andApplication of High-Performance Superabsorbent Polymers) hereinincorporated by reference.

The term “absorbent matrix permeability aid” or “spacer material” or“spacer” used herein is intended to mean any fibrous or particulatematerial that is, at most, only slightly soluble in water and/orlipophilic fluid.

The term “absorbent matrix” used herein is intended to mean a matrix inany form that is capable of absorbing or adsorbing water. At minimum, itcomprises an absorbent material. It may optionally comprise a spacermaterial and/or a high surface area material.

The term “lipophilic fluid” used herein is intended to mean anynonaqueous fluid capable of removing sebum, as described in more detailherein below.

The term “cleaning composition” used herein is intended to mean anylipophilic fluid-containing composition that comes into direct contactwith fabric articles to be cleaned. It should be understood that theterm encompasses uses other than cleaning, such as conditioning andsizing. Furthermore, optional cleaning adjuncts such as additionalsurfactants other than those surfactants described above, bleaches, andthe like may be added to the “cleaning composition”. That is, cleaningadjuncts may be optionally combined with the lipophilic fluid. Theseoptional cleaning adjuncts are described in more detail herein below.Such cleaning adjuncts may be present in the cleaning compositions ofthe present invention at a level of from 0.01% to about 10% by weight ofthe cleaning composition.

The term “soil” means any undesirable substance on a fabric article thatis desired to be removed. By the terms “water-based” or “hydrophilic”soils, it is meant that the soil comprised water at the time it firstcame in contact with the fabric article, or the soil retains asignificant portion of water on the fabric article. Examples ofwater-based soils include, but are not limited to beverages, many foodsoils, water soluble dyes, bodily fluids such as sweat, urine or blood,outdoor soils such as grass stains and mud.

The term “capable of suspending water in a lipophilic fluid” means thata material is able to suspend, solvate or emulsify water, which isimmiscible with the lipophilic fluid, in a way that the water remainsvisibly suspended, solvated or emulsified when left undisturbed for aperiod of at least five minutes after initial mixing of the components.In some examples of compositions in accordance with the presentinvention, the compositions may be colloidal in nature and/or appearmilky. In other examples of compositions in accordance with the presentinvention, the compositions may be transparent.

The term “insoluble in a lipophilic fluid” means that when added to alipophilic fluid, a material physically separates from the lipophilicfluid (i.e. settle-out, flocculate, float) within 5 minutes afteraddition, whereas a material that is “soluble in a lipophilic fluid”does not physically separate from the lipophilic fluid within 5 minutesafter addition.

The term “consumable detergent composition” and/or “treatingcomposition” means any composition, that when combined with a lipophilicfluid, results in a cleaning composition according to the presentinvention.

The term “processing aid” refers to any material that renders theconsumable detergent composition more suitable for formulation,stability, and/or dilution with a lipophilic fluid to form a cleaningcomposition in accordance with the present invention.

The term “mixing” as used herein means combining two or more materials(i.e., fluids, more specifically a lipophilic fluid and a consumabledetergent composition) in such a way that a homogeneous mixture isformed. Suitable mixing processes are known in the art. Nonlimitingexamples of suitable mixing processes include vortex mixing processesand static mixing processes.

Lipophilic Fluid

The lipophilic fluid herein is one having a liquid phase present underoperating conditions of a fabric/leather article treating appliance, inother words, during treatment of a fabric article in accordance with thepresent invention. In general such a lipophilic fluid can be fullyliquid at ambient temperature and pressure, can be an easily meltedsolid, e.g., one which becomes liquid at temperatures in the range fromabout 0 deg. C. to about 60 deg. C., or can comprise a mixture of liquidand vapor phases at ambient temperatures and pressures, e.g., at 25 deg.C. and 1 atm. pressure. Thus, the lipophilic fluid is not a compressiblegas such as carbon dioxide.

It is preferred that the lipophilic fluids herein be nonflammable orhave relatively high flash points and/or low VOC (volatile organiccompound) characteristics, these terms having their conventionalmeanings as used in the dry cleaning industry, to equal or, preferably,exceed the characteristics of known conventional dry cleaning fluids.

Moreover, suitable lipophilic fluids herein are readily flowable andnonviscous.

In general, lipophilic fluids herein are required to be fluids capableof at least partially dissolving sebum or body soil as defined in thetest hereinafter. Mixtures of lipophilic fluid are also suitable, andprovided that the requirements of the Lipophilic Fluid Test, asdescribed below, are met, the lipophilic fluid can include any fractionof dry-cleaning solvents, especially newer types including fluorinatedsolvents, or perfluorinated amines. Some perfluorinated amines such asperfluorotributylamines while unsuitable for use as lipophilic fluid maybe present as one of many possible adjuncts present in the lipophilicfluid-containing composition.

Other suitable lipophilic fluids include, but are not limited to, diolsolvent systems e.g., higher diols such as C6- or C8- or higher diols,organosilicone solvents including both cyclic and acyclic types, and thelike, and mixtures thereof.

A preferred group of nonaqueous lipophilic fluids suitable forincorporation as a major component of the compositions of the presentinvention include low-volatility nonfluorinated organics, silicones,especially those other than amino functional silicones, and mixturesthereof. Low volatility nonfluorinated organics include for exampleOLEAN® and other polyol esters, or certain relatively nonvolatilebiodegradable mid-chain branched petroleum fractions.

Another preferred group of nonaqueous lipophilic fluids suitable forincorporation as a major component of the compositions of the presentinvention include, but are not limited to, glycol ethers, for examplepropylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether,propylene glycol t-butyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether,dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether,dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether,tripropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycol n-propyl ether,tripropylene glycol t-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether.Suitable silicones for use as a major component, e.g., more than 50%, ofthe composition include cyclopentasiloxanes, sometimes termed “D5”,and/or linear analogs having approximately similar volatility,optionally complemented by other compatible silicones. Suitablesilicones are well known in the literature, see, for example, KirkOthmer's Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, and are available from anumber of commercial sources, including General Electric, ToshibaSilicone, Bayer, and Dow Corning. Other suitable lipophilic fluids arecommercially available from Procter & Gamble or from Dow Chemical andother suppliers.

Qualification of Lipophilic Fluid and Lipophilic Fluid Test (LF Test)

Any nonaqueous fluid that is both capable of meeting known requirementsfor a dry-cleaning fluid (e.g, flash point etc.) and is capable of atleast partially dissolving sebum, as indicated by the test methoddescribed below, is suitable as a lipophilic fluid herein. As a generalguideline, perfluorobutylamine (Fluorinert FC-43®) on its own (with orwithout adjuncts) is a reference material which by definition isunsuitable as a lipophilic fluid for use herein (it is essentially anonsolvent) while cyclopentasiloxanes have suitable sebum-dissolvingproperties and dissolves sebum.

The following is the method for investigating and qualifying othermaterials, e.g., other low-viscosity, free-flowing silicones, for use asthe lipophilic fluid. The method uses commercially available Crisc®canola oil, oleic acid (95% pure, available from Sigma Aldrich Co.) andsqualene (99% pure, available from J. T. Baker) as model soils forsebum. The test materials should be substantially anhydrous and freefrom any added adjuncts, or other materials during evaluation.

Prepare three vials, each vial will contain one type of lipophilic soil.Place 1.0 g of canola oil in the first; in a second vial place 1.0 g ofthe oleic acid (95%), and in a third and final vial place 1.0 g of thesqualene (99.9%). To each vial add 1 g of the fluid to be tested forlipophilicity. Separately mix at room temperature and pressure each vialcontaining the lipophilic soil and the fluid to be tested for 20 secondson a standard vortex mixer at maximum setting. Place vials on the benchand allow to settle for 15 minutes at room temperature and pressure. If,upon standing, a clear single phase is formed in any of the vialscontaining lipophilic soils, then the nonaqueous fluid qualifies assuitable for use as a “lipophilic fluid” in accordance with the presentinvention. However, if two or more separate layers are formed in allthree vials, then the amount of nonaqueous fluid dissolved in the oilphase will need to be further determined before rejecting or acceptingthe nonaqueous fluid as qualified.

In such a case, with a syringe, carefully extract a 200-microlitersample from each layer in each vial. The syringe-extracted layer samplesare placed in GC auto sampler vials and subjected to conventional GCanalysis after determining the retention time of calibration samples ofeach of the three models soils and the fluid being tested. If more than1% of the test fluid by GC, preferably greater, is found to be presentin any one of the layers which consists of the oleic acid, canola oil orsqualene layer, then the test fluid is also qualified for use as alipophilic fluid. If needed, the method can be further calibrated usingheptacosafluorotributylamine, i.e., Fluorinert FC-43 (fail) andcyclopentasiloxane (pass). A suitable GC is a Hewlett Packard GasChromatograph HP5890 Series II equipped with a split/splitless injectorand FID. A suitable column used in determining the amount of lipophilicfluid present is a J&W Scientific capillary column DB-1HT, 30 meter,0.25 mm id, 0.1 um film thickness cat# 1221131. The GC is suitablyoperated under the following conditions:

Carrier Gas: Hydrogen

Column Head Pressure: 9 psi

Flows: Column Flow @ ˜1.5 ml/min.

-   -   Split Vent @ ˜250–500 ml/min.    -   Septum Purge @ 1 ml/min.

Injection: HP 7673 Autosampler, 10 ul syringe, 1 ul injection

Injector Temperature: 350° C.

Detector Temperature: 380° C.

Oven Temperature Program: initial 60° C. hold 1 min.

-   -   rate 25° C./min.    -   final 380° C. hold 30 min.

Preferred lipophilic fluids suitable for use herein can further bequalified for use on the basis of having an excellent garment careprofile. Garment care profile testing is well known in the art andinvolves testing a fluid to be qualified using a wide range of garmentor fabric article components, including fabrics, threads and elasticsused in seams, etc., and a range of buttons. Preferred lipophilic fluidsfor use herein have an excellent garment care profile, for example theyhave a good shrinkage and/or fabric puckering profile and do notappreciably damage plastic buttons. Certain materials which in sebumremoval qualify for use as lipophilic fluids, for example ethyl lactate,can be quite objectionable in their tendency to dissolve buttons, and ifsuch a material is to be used in the compositions of the presentinvention, it will be formulated with water and/or other solvents suchthat the overall mix is not substantially damaging to buttons. Otherlipophilic fluids, D5, for example, meet the garment care requirementsquite admirably. Some suitable lipophilic fluids may be found in grantedU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,865,852; 5,942,007; 6,042,617; 6,042,618; 6,056,789;6,059,845; and 6,063,135, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Lipophilic fluids can include linear and cyclic polysiloxanes,hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons, with the exception of PERCand DF2000 which are explicitly not covered by the lipophilic fluiddefinition as used herein. More preferred are the linear and cyclicpolysiloxanes and hydrocarbons of the glycol ether, acetate ester,lactate ester families. Preferred lipophilic fluids include cyclicsiloxanes having a boiling point at 760 mm Hg. of below about 250° C.Specifically preferred cyclic siloxanes for use in this invention areoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, anddodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane. Preferably, the cyclic siloxane comprisesdecamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5, pentamer) and is substantially free ofoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (tetramer) anddodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (hexamer).

However, it should be understood that useful cyclic siloxane mixturesmight contain, in addition to the preferred cyclic siloxanes, minoramounts of other cyclic siloxanes including octamethylcyclotetrasiloxaneand hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane or higher cyclics such astetradecamethylcycloheptasiloxane. Generally the amount of these othercyclic siloxanes in useful cyclic siloxane mixtures will be less thanabout 10 percent based on the total weight of the mixture. The industrystandard for cyclic siloxane mixtures is that such mixtures compriseless than about 1% by weight of the mixture ofoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane.

Accordingly, the lipophilic fluid of the present invention preferablycomprises more than about 50%, more preferably more than about 75%, evenmore preferably at least about 90%, most preferably at least about 95%by weight of the lipophilic fluid of decamethylcyclopentasiloxane.Alternatively, the lipophilic fluid may comprise siloxanes which are amixture of cyclic siloxanes having more than about 50%, preferably morethan about 75%, more preferably at least about 90%, most preferably atleast about 95% up to about 100% by weight of the mixture ofdecamethylcyclopentasiloxane and less than about 10%, preferably lessthan about 5%, more preferably less than about 2%, even more preferablyless than about 1%, most preferably less than about 0.5% to about 0% byweight of the mixture of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and/ordodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane.

The level of lipophilic fluid, when present in the treating compositionsaccording to the present invention, is preferably from about 70% toabout 99.99%, more preferably from about 90% to about 99.9%, and evenmore preferably from about 95% to about 99.8% by weight of the treatingcomposition.

The level of lipophilic fluid, when present in the consumable fabricarticle treating/cleaning compositions according to the presentinvention, is preferably from about 0.1% to about 90%, more preferablyfrom about 0.5% to about 75%, and even more preferably from about 1% toabout 50% by weight of the consumable fabric article treating/cleaningcomposition.

Lipophilic Fluid Adjuncts

During fabric treating processes utilizing lipophilic fluids, thelipophilic fluids typically end up containing contaminant componentsand/or contaminants, water and/or other “non-lipophilic fluidmaterials”.

a. Contaminant Component

Contaminant components and/or conventional contaminants may become mixedwith the lipophilic fluid as a result of a fabric treating processutilizing both materials or may be added to a lipophilic fluid prior tousing the lipophilic fluid for a fabric treating process. How thecontaminant component and/or conventional contaminant comes to bepresent in the lipophilic fluid is not particularly important for thepresent invention. This present invention addresses the problem ofremoving the contaminant component and/or conventional contaminants fromthe lipophilic fluid.

Contaminant components (i.e., materials that have properties similar tocontaminants) and conventional contaminants that may be present in thecontaminant-containing lipophilic fluid of the present inventioninclude, but are not limited to, conventional contaminants, surfactants,dyes, lipids, soils, water, and other non-lipophilic fluid materials.

Nonlimiting examples of these other contaminants include conventionalanionic, nonionic, cationic and zwitterionic contaminants.

Contaminants included in the treating compositions afforded by thepresent invention comprise at least 0.01%, preferably at least about0.1%, more preferably at least about 0.5%, even more preferably at leastabout 1%, most preferably at least about 3% to about 80%, morepreferably to about 60%, most preferably to about 50% by weight ofcomposition depending upon the particular contaminants used and thedesired effects to be achieved.

The contaminant can be nonionic, anionic, amphoteric, amphophilic,zwitterionic, cationic, semi-polar nonionic, and mixtures thereof,nonlimiting examples of which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,707,950and 5,576,282. A typical listing of anionic, nonionic, amphoteric andzwitterionic classes, and species of these contaminants, is given inU.S. Pat. No. 3,664,961 issued to Norris on May 23, 1972. Preferredcompositions comprise nonionic contaminants and/or mixtures of nonioniccontaminants with other contaminants, especially anionic contaminants.

Nonlimiting examples of contaminants useful herein include theconventional C₈–C₁₈ alkyl ethoxylates (“AE”), with EO about 1–22,including the so-called narrow peaked alkyl ethoxylates and C₆–C₁₂ alkylphenol alkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and mixed ethoxy/propoxy),alkyl dialkyl amine oxide, alkanoyl glucose amide, C₁₁–C₁₈ alkyl benzenesulfonates and primary, secondary and random alkyl sulfates, the C₁₀–C₁₈alkyl alkoxy sulfates, the C₁₀–C₁₈ alkyl polyglycosides and theircorresponding sulfated polyglycosides, C₁₂–C₁₈ alpha-sulfonated fattyacid esters, C₁₂–C₁₈ alkyl and alkyl phenol alkoxylates (especiallyethoxylates and mixed ethoxy/propoxy), C₁₂–C₁₈ betaines, schercotainesand sulfobetaines (“sultaines”), C₁₀–C₁₈ amine oxides, and the like.Other conventional useful contaminants are listed in standard texts.

The contaminant components and/or contaminants may include the followingnonlimiting examples:

-   -   a) Anionic contaminants (e.g., alkyl or aryl sulfates, aerosol        derivatives, etc)    -   b) Cationic or basic contaminants (e.g., quaternary        contaminants, primary and secondary amines, etc.)    -   c) Non-ionic contaminants (e.g., Brij contaminants, Neodol        contaminants, etc.)

The contaminant component of the present invention may be a materialthat is capable of suspending water in a lipophilic fluid and enhancingsoil removal benefits of a lipophilic fluid. As a condition of theirperformance, said materials are soluble in the lipophilic fluid.

One class of materials can include siloxane-based surfactants(siloxane-based materials). The siloxane-based surfactants in thisapplication may be siloxane polymers for other applications. Thesiloxane-based surfactants typically have a weight average molecularweight from 500 to 20,000. Such materials, derived frompoly(dimethylsiloxane), are well known in the art. In the presentinvention, not all such siloxane-based surfactants are suitable, becausethey do not provide improved cleaning of soils compared to the level ofcleaning provided by the lipophilic fluid itself.

Suitable siloxane-based surfactants comprise a polyether siloxane havingthe formula:M_(a)D_(b)D′_(c)D″_(d)M′_(2-a)wherein a is 0–2; b is 0–1000; c is 0–50; d is 0–50, provided that a+c+dis at least 1;

M is R¹ _(3−e)X_(e)SiO_(1/2) wherein R¹ is independently H, or amonovalent hydrocarbon group, X is hydroxyl group, and e is 0 or 1;

-   -   M′ is R² ₃SiO_(1/2) wherein R² is independently H, a monovalent        hydrocarbon group, or        (CH₂)_(f)—(C6H4)_(g)O—(C₂H₄O)_(h)—(C₃H₆O)_(i)        —(C_(k)H_(2k)O)_(j)—R³, provided that at least one R² is        (CH₂)_(f)—(C6H4)_(g)O—(C₂H₄O)_(h)—(C₃H        ₆O)_(i)—(C_(k)H_(2k)O)_(j)—R³, wherein R³ is independently H, a        monovalent hydrocarbon group or an alkoxy group, f is 1–10, g is        0 or 1, h is 1–50, i is 0–50, j is 0–50, k is 4–8;

D is R⁴ ₂SiO_(2/2) wherein R⁴ is independently H or a monovalenthydrocarbon group;

D′ is R⁵ ₂SiO_(2/2) wherein R⁵ is independently R² provided that atleast one R⁵ is(CH₂)_(f)—(C6H4)_(g)O—(C₂H₄O)_(h)—(C₃H₆O)_(i)—(C_(k)H_(2k)O)_(j)—R³,wherein R³ is independently H, a monovalent hydrocarbon group or analkoxy group, f is 1–10, g is 0 or 1, h is 1–50, i is 0–50, j is 0–50, kis 4–8; and

D″ is R⁶ ₂SiO_(2/2) wherein R⁶ is independently H, a monovalenthydrocarbon group or (CH₂)_(l)(C₆H₄)_(m)(A)_(n)-[(L)_(o)-(A′)_(p)-]_(q)-(L′)_(r)Z(G)_(s), wherein l is 1–10; m is 0 or 1; n is 0–5; ois 0–3; p is 0 or 1; q is 0–10; r is 0–3; s is 0–3; C₆H₄ isunsubstituted or substituted with a C₁₋₁₀ alkyl or alkenyl; A and A′ areeach independently a linking moiety representing an ester, a keto, anether, a thio, an amido, an amino, a C₁₋₄ fluoroalkyl, a C₁₋₄fluoroalkenyl, a branched or straight chained polyalkylene oxide, aphosphate, a sulfonyl, a sulfate, an ammonium, and mixtures thereof; Land L′ are each independently a C₁₋₃₀ straight chained or branched alkylor alkenyl or an aryl which is unsubstituted or substituted; Z is ahydrogen, carboxylic acid, a hydroxy, a phosphato, a phosphate ester, asulfonyl, a sulfonate, a sulfate, a branched or straight-chainedpolyalkylene oxide, a nitryl, a glyceryl, an aryl unsubstituted orsubstituted with a C₁₋₃₀alkyl or alkenyl, a carbohydrate unsubstitutedor substituted with a C₁₋₁₀alkyl or alkenyl or an ammonium; G is ananion or cation such as H⁺, Na⁺, Li⁺, K⁺, NH₄ ⁺, Ca⁺², Mg⁺², Cl⁻, Br⁻,I⁻, mesylate or tosylate.

Examples of the types of siloxane-based surfactants described hereinabove may be found in EP-1,043,443A1, EP-1,041,189 and WO-01/34,706 (allto GE Silicones) and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,676,705, 5,683,977, 5,683,473, andEP-1,092,803A1 (all to Lever Brothers).

Nonlimiting commercially available examples of suitable siloxane-basedsurfactants are TSF 4446 (ex. General Electric Silicones), XS69-B5476(ex. General Electric Silicones); Jenamine HSX (ex. DelCon) and Y12147(ex. OSi Specialties).

A second preferred class of materials suitable for the surfactantcomponent is organic in nature. Preferred materials areorganosulfosuccinate surfactants, with carbon chains of from about 6 toabout 20 carbon atoms. Most preferred are organosulfosuccinatescontaining dialkly chains, each with carbon chains of from about 6 toabout 20 carbon atoms. Also preferred are chains containing aryl oralkyl aryl, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or linear, saturatedor unsaturated groups.

Nonlimiting commercially available examples of suitableorganosulfosuccinate surfactants are available under the trade names ofAerosol OT and Aerosol TR-70 (ex. Cytec).

The surfactant component, when present in the fabric article treatingcompositions of the present invention, preferably comprises from about0.01% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.02% to about 5%, evenmore preferably from about 0.05% to about 2% by weight of the fabricarticle treating composition.

The surfactant component, when present in the consumable detergentcompositions of the present invention, preferably comprises from about1% to about 99%, more preferably 2% to about 75%, even more preferablyfrom about 5% to about 60% by weight of the consumable detergentcomposition.

A second preferred class of materials suitable for the surfactantcomponent is organic in nature. Again, solubility in the lipophilicfluid, as identified above, is essential. Preferred materials areorganosulfosuccinate surfactants, with carbon chains of from about 6 toabout 20 carbon atoms.

Nonlimiting commercially available examples of suitableorganosulfosuccinate surfactants are available under the trade names ofAerosol OT and Aerosol TR-70 (ex. Cytec).

Another preferred class of surfactants is nonionic surfactants,especially those having low HLB values. Preferred nonionic surfactantshave HLB values of less than about 10, more preferably less than about7.5, and most preferably less than about 5. Preferred nonionicsurfactants also have from about 6–20 carbons in the surfactant chainand from about 1–15 ethylene oxide (EO) and/or propylene oxide (PO)units in the hydrophilic portion of the surfactant (i.e., C6–20 EO/PO1–15), and preferably nonionic surfactants selected from those withinC7–11 EO/PO 1–5 (e.g., C7–11 EO 2.5).

The surfactant laundry additives, when present, typically comprises fromabout 0.001% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.01% to about 5%,even more preferably from about 0.02% to about 2% by weight of thecleaning composition combined with the lipophilic fluid for the presentinvention process. These surfactant laundry additives, when present inthe consumable detergent compositions before addition to the lipophilicfluid, preferably comprises from about 1% to about 90%, more preferably2% to about 75%, even more preferably from about 5% to about 60% byweight of the consumable detergent composition.

In one embodiment, the treating agent is insoluble in water. In anotherembodiment, the treating agent is insoluble in water, but soluble in alipophilic fluid. In yet another embodiment, the treating agent isinsoluble in water, soluble in a lipophilic fluid and has an HLB of fromabout 1 to about 9 or from about 1 to about 7 or from about 1 to about5.

In still another embodiment, the treating agent is insoluble in waterand insoluble in a lipophilic fluid. In still yet another embodiment,the treating agent in conjunction with a solubilizing agent is at leastpartially soluble in a lipophilic fluid and/or water. In thesolubilizing agent embodiment, the treating agent is present at a levelin the treating composition at from about 0.001% to about 5% or fromabout 0.001% to about 3% or from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight ofthe treating composition.

Nonlimiting examples of suitable treating agents include treating agentscommercially available from Dow Corning under tradenames such as DC1248,SF1528 DC5225C and DCQ4 3667; and Silwets from Witco under tradenamessuch as L8620, L7210, L7220.

The contaminant component, when present in the contaminant-containinglipophilic fluid can be present at any level, typically the contaminantcomponent is present at a level of from about 0.01% to about 10%, morepreferably from about 0.02% to about 5%, even more preferably from about0.05% to about 2% by weight of the contaminant-containing lipophilicfluid.

Another contaminant component/contaminant that may be present in thecontaminant-containing lipophilic fluid is characterized as non-siliconeadditives. The non-silicone additives preferably comprise a stronglypolar and/or hydrogen-bonding head group. Examples of the strongly polarand/or hydrogen-bonding head group are alcohols, carboxylic acids,sulfates, sulphonates, phosphates, phosphonates, and nitrogen containingmaterials. Preferred non-silicone additives are nitrogen containingmaterials selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary andtertiary amines, diamines, triamines, ethoxylated amines, amine oxides,amides, betaines (nonlimiting examples of betaines are Schercotainematerials commercially available from Scher Chemicals), cationicmaterials such as cationic surfactants and/or quaternary surfactantsand/or quaternary ammonium salts such as ammonium chlorides (nonlimitingexamples of ammonium chlorides are Arquad materials commerciallyavailable from Akzo Nobel and/or Varisoft materials from Goldschmidt)and cationic fabric softening actives, nonionic materials such asnonionic surfactants (i.e., alcohol ethoxylates, polyhydroxy fatty acidamides), gemini surfactants, anionic surfactants, zwitterionicsurfactants and mixtures thereof. Alkylamines are particularlypreferred. Additionally, branching on the alkyl chain to help lower themelting point is highly preferred. Even more preferred are primaryalkylamines comprising from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms.

Particularly preferred primary alkylamines are oleylamine (commerciallyavailable from Akzo under the trade name Armeen OLD), dodecylamine(commercially available from Akzo under the trade name Armeen 12D),branched C₁₆–C₂₂ alkylamine (commercially available from Rohm & Haasunder the trade name Primene JM-T) and mixtures thereof.

In another embodiment, the contaminant-containing lipophilic fluidcomprises a contaminant selected from the group consisting of anioniccontaminants, cationic contaminants, nonionic contaminants, zwitterioniccontaminants and mixtures thereof.

The non-silicone additives, when present in the treating compositions ofthe present invention, preferably comprises from about 0.01% to about10%, more preferably from about 0.02% to about 5%, even more preferablyfrom about 0.05% to about 2% by weight of the treating composition.

Polar Solvent

The contaminant-containing lipophilic fluid of the present invention maycomprise a polar solvent. Non-limiting examples of polar solventsinclude: water, alcohols, glycols, polyglycols, ethers, carbonates,dibasic esters, ketones, other oxygenated solvents, and mixuturesthereof. Further examples of alcohols include: C1–C126 alcohols, such aspropanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, etc. . . . , benzyl alcohol, anddiols such as 1,2-hexanediol. The Dowanol series by Dow Chemical areexamples of glycols and polyglycols useful in the present invention,such as Dowanol TPM, TPnP, DPnB, DPnP, TPnB, PPh, DPM, DPMA, DB, andothers. Further examples include propylene glycol, butylene glycol,polybutylene glycol and more hydrophobic glycols. Examples of carbonatesolvents are ethylene, propylene and butylene carbonantes such as thoseavailable under the Jeffsol tradename. Polar solvents for the presentinvention can be further identified through their dispersive (□_(D)),polar (□_(P)) and hydrogen bonding (□_(H)) Hansen solubility parameters.Preferred polar solvents or polar solvent mixtures have fractional polar(f_(P)) and fractional hydrogen bonding (f_(H)) values of f_(P)>0.02 andf_(H)>0.10, where f_(P)=□_(P)/(□_(D)+□_(P)+□_(H)) andf_(H)=□_(H)/(□_(D)+□_(P)+□_(H)), more preferably f_(P)>0.05 andf_(H)>0.20, and most preferably f_(P)>0.07 and f_(H)>0.30.

Polar solvent may be present in the contaminant-containing lipophilicfluid at any level, typically it is present in thecontaminant-containing lipophilic fluid at a level of from about 0.001%to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.005% to about 5%, even morepreferably from about 0.01% to about 1% by weight of thecontaminant-containing lipophilic fluid.

In one embodiment, the contaminant-containing lipophilic fluid comprisesfrom about 0% to about 5% or from about 0% to about 3% or from about0.0001% to about 1% by weight of the contaminant-containing lipophilicfluid of a polar solvent.

In the treating composition of the present invention, the levels ofpolar solvent can be from about 0 to about 70%, preferably 1 to 50%,even more preferably 1 to 30% by weight of the detergent composition.

Multifunctional Filter

The multifunctional filter of the present invention comprises a removalcomponent that is capable of removing a material from a filtrate; and anaddition component capable of adding a material to a filtrate. Theremoval component and/or addition component may comprise an adsorbentmaterial and/or an absorbent material.

The removal component and addition component may be present in the samefilter zone. Alternatively, the removal component and addition componentmay be present in separate, discrete filter zones or can be a mixture ofthese forms.

In one embodiment, the multifunctional filter comprises a dualadsorption zone (containing polar and apolar adsorbents) and adesorption or controlled release zone. The adsorption zone filters bothwater-soluble and lipophilic-soluble contaminants from the liquid, whilethe controlled release zone delivers an active (e.g. perfume, biocide)to the “purified” liquid. The cartridge acts both as a filtration and asa delivery device.

In another embodiment, the multifunctional filter is replaceable.

In yet another embodiment, the multifunctional filter is reusable.

In still another embodiment, the removal component and additioncomponent are physically separated from one another by an intermediatecomponent.

In even still another embodiment, the removal component is physicallyseparated from other removal components by an intermediate component.

In still yet another embodiment, the addition component is physicallyseparated from other addition components by an intermediate component.

Typically, the intermediate component comprises a fluid permeablematerial.

It is desirable that removal component and addition component are housedwithin a filter housing. The filter housing typically comprises anexternal wall that substantially encases the removal component andaddition component.

In a filter embodiment in accordance with the present invention, afilter comprising:

-   -   a. a housing comprising an in-flow port through which a filtrate        enters the filter and an out-flow port through which the        filtrate exits the filter;    -   b. a filtering material housed within said housing, wherein the        filtering material is pleated in a fanfold manner and positioned        within the filter such that the filtrate contacts the filtering        material as it passes from the in-flow port to the out-flow        port;    -   c. a removal component for removing a material from the        filtrate, wherein the removal component is dispersed throughout        and fixed to the filtering material; and    -   d. an addition component for adding a material to the filtrate        is provided.

It is desirable that the multifunctional filter of the present inventioncomprises an end-of-use indicator to indicate when the filter needsreplaced.

a. Removal Component

The removal component typically comprises an adsorbent material.

b. Addition Component

The addition component typically comprises porous particle loaded withan active. It is desirable that the addition component comprises arelease agent, preferably a controlled release agent, that capable ofbeing added into the filtrate that comes into contact with the additioncomponent.

Non-limiting examples of suitable release agents include perfumes,biocides, corrosion inhibitors, finishing agents such as anti-staticagents, fabric softening agents and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the release agent is releasably associated with asubstrate or carrier.

Adsorbent Material

The adsorbent material useful in the processes of the present inventioncomprises a polar agent and an apolar agent. Typically, the polar agentsand apolar agents are present in the adsorbent material at a ratio offrom about 1:10 to about 10:1 or from about 1:5 to about 5:1 or fromabout 1:2 to about 3:1.

In one embodiment, the adsorbent material has a surface area of fromabout 10 m²/gram to about 1000 m²/gram or from about 100 m²/gram toabout 1000 m²/gram or from about 250 m²/gram to about 1000 m²/gram oreven about 500 m²/gram to about 1000 m²/gram.

In one embodiment, the adsorbent material has an average particle sizeof from about 0.1 μm to about 250 μm.

In another embodiment, the adsorbent material has an average particlesize of from about 0.1 μm to about 500 μm.

In another embodiment, the adsorbent material comprises a polar andapolar agent and another agent selected from the group consisting of: apolar agent, an apolar agent and optionally, a charged agent, whereintwo or more agents are in the form of commingled agents in a unitaryphysical form.

In yet another embodiment, the adsorbent material comprises a polar andapolar agent and another agent selected from the group consisting of: apolar agent, an apolar agent and optionally, a charged agent, whereintwo or more agents are in the form of layered agents.

In still another embodiment, the adsorbent material comprises aseparate, discrete polar and apolar agent and a separate, discretecharged agent, such that the contaminant-containing lipophilic fluidcontacts both the separate, discrete agents.

In still yet another embodiment, the adsorbent material comprisesdiscrete particles.

In even still another embodiment, the adsorbent material is in the formof discrete particles.

Alternatively, the adsorbent material is in the form of a fibrousstructure. Typically the fibrous structure is a non-woven fibrousstructure. However, it could be a woven fibrous structure.

In another embodiment, the adsorbent material is in the form of discreteparticles that are embedded in and/or coated on and/or impregnated inand/or bound to a fibrous structure.

The adsorbent material may comprise (1) charged agents and (2) polar andapolar agents commingled together. The polar agents are typically in theform of discrete particles and the apolar agents are typically in theform of a fibrous structure, wherein the discrete particle polar agentsare embedded in and/or coated on and/or impregnated in and/or bound to afibrous structure, typically a non-woven fibrous structure.

a. Polar Agents

In one embodiment, a polar agent useful in the adsorbent material of thepresent invention has the formula:Y_(a)—O_(b)X

wherein Y is Si, Al, Ti, P; a is from about 1 to about 5; b is fromabout 1 to about 10; and X is a metal.

In another embodiment, a polar agent suitable for use in the adsorbentmaterial of the present invention is selected from the group consistingof: silica, diatomaceous earth, aluminosilicates, polyamide resin,alumina, hydrogels, zeolites and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the polaragent is silica, more specifically silica gel.

Nonlimiting examples of monomers that comprise the hydrogels of thepresent invention include hydroxyalkyl acrylates, hydroxyalkylmethacrylates, N-substituted acrylamides, N-substituted methacrylamides,N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-acroylpyrrolidone, acrylics, methacrylics,vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, styrene, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid,crotonic acid, sodium styrene sulfonate, sodium 2-sulfoxyethylmethacrylate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, vinylpyridine,aminoethyl methacrylates, 2-methacryloyloxytrimethylammonium chloride,N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide, poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate,2,2′-(p-phenylenedioxy diethyl dimethacrylate, divinylbenzene andtriallylamine.

In yet another embodiment, a polar agent suitable for use in theadsorbent material of the present invention has an average particle sizeof from about 0.5 μm to about 500 μm.

b. Apolar Agents

Apolar agents suitable for use in the adsorbent material of the presentinvention comprise one or more of the following: activated carbon,polystyrene, polyethylene, and/or divinyl benzene. The activated carbonmay be in powdered form and/or has a surface area of from about 50m²/gram to about 200 m²/gram, typically its around about 75 m²/gram toabout 125 m²/gram m²/gram.

c. Charged Agents

In one embodiment, the charged agent is selected from the groupconsisting of: anionic materials, cationic materials, zwitterionicmaterials and mixtures thereof.

In another embodiment, the charged agent has the formula:[W-Z]T

wherein W is Si, Al, Ti, P, or a polymer backbone; Z is a chargedsubstituent group and T is a counterion selected from alkaline, alkalineearth metals and mixtures thereof. For example, T may be: Sodium,potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium derivatives, hydrogen ion; chloride,hydroxide, fluoride, iodide, carboxylate, etc.

The polymer backbone is typically comprises a material selected from thegroup consisting of: polystryrene, polyethylene, polydivinyl benzene,polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, polysaccharide, polyvinyl alcohol,copolymers of these and mixtures thereof.

The charged substituent typically comprises sulfonates, phosphates,quaternary ammonium salts and mixtures thereof. The charged substituentmay comprise alcohols; diols; salts of carboxylates; salts of primaryand secondary amines and mixtures thereof.

The W typically comprises from about 1% to about 15% by weight of W ofthe charged agent.

In another embodiment, the charged agent is capable of regeneration suchthat the charged agent can release any contaminant that it temporarilyremoves from the contaminant-containing lipophilic fluid upon beingexposed to an environmental condition. An “environmental condition” asused herein means any physical or chemical condition that causes thecharged agent to release the contaminant. Nonlimiting examples ofenvironmental conditions include exposing the charged agent to an acid,a base and/or a salt. The charged agents that are capable ofregeneration typically exhibit a pK_(a) or pK_(b) of from about 2 toabout 8. Charged agents that are capable of regeneration can be reusedfor multi-cycle contaminant removal from lipophilic fluids.

Use of the Multifunctional Filter

The multifunctional filter may be used in any suitable manner know tothose in the art.

In one embodiment, the multifunctional filter is used in associationwith an apparatus, such as a fabric article treating apparatus,especially a lipophilic fluid system fabric article treating apparatus.A nonlimiting example of such an apparatus comprises:

-   -   a. a filter according to the present invention; and    -   b. a filtrate source in fluid communication with the filter such        that the filtrate contacts the filter.        Processes

The present invention also encompasses a process for treating a filtratecomprising contacting the filter according to the present invention withthe filtrate.

The resulting filtrate produced by the process according to the presentinvention is also within the scope of the present invention.

Description for FIG. 1–2:

The filter cartridge 5 includes a rigid apertured cylindrical externalfilter media cage 10 in which a rigid apertured internal cylindricalcore element 70 having a central passageway 180 is coaxially disposed.Within the interior space between the cage 10 and the core element 70 wehave several distinctive zones separated by a fluid-permeable element200.

In the first zone, closest to the cage, we have a longitudinally pleatedfilter media 30 placed such that the individual pleats are orientedradially relative to the filter cartridge's longitudinal axis. The rigidexternal filter media cage 10 and the rigid core element 70 are eachprovided with apertures 20,80 so as to allow fluid to flow therethrough.

In the second zone 40, we have an polar adsorbent 90. In the third zone50, we738 have an apolar adsorbent 100. In the fourth zone 60 we have acontrolled release active 110.

As such the fluid may flow normally through the external cage 10, the1,2,3,4 zone and the central core element 70, in that order, and thedischarge from the filter cartridge 5 through a central passageway 180.

Description for FIG. 3:

The filter cartridge 210 includes a rigid fluid-impermeable, tubularshaped support body with a top 220 and a bottom flange 230. The flanges220,230 optionally contain an annular groove 150 to hold a sealing ring.The flanges 220, 230 are apertured 140 and as such the liquid might flowalong the longitudinal axis of the filter cartridge 210.

Layered between the two flanges are 4 distinctive zones, oriented in aplanar mode as such that the liquid flows perpendicular through thezones. Zones are each separated by an fluid-permeable element 130.

In the first zone 240, closest to the top flange 220, we have a radiallypleated filter media 270 placed such that the individual pleats areoriented perpendicular relative to the filter cartridge's longitudinalaxis. In the second zone 240, we have an polar adsorbent 90. In thethird zone 250, we have an apolar adsorbent 100. In the fourth zone 260we have a controlled release active 110 such as e.g. chlorhexadineacetate, which is not soluble in water and can be purchased as agranular material that has very high broad spectrum antimicrobialcapability.

1. A process for treating a contaminant-containing lipophilic fluidcomprising: contacting a lipophilic fluid comprising at least onecontaminant with a multifunctional filter comprising a removal componentthat is capable of removing a material from a filtrate, said removalcomponent comprising a polar agent, an apolar agent and a charged agent,and said filter also comprising an addition component that is capable ofadding a material to a filtrate; wherein the lipophilic fluid isselected from the group consisting of C6 or higher diols, cyclic oracyclic organosilicones, glycol ethers, perfluorinated amines, andmixtures thereof; and the addition component comprises a releasing agentselected from the group consisting of perfumes, anti-static agents,fabric softening agents, and mixtures thereof, wherein said removalcomponent and said addition component are present in separate, discretezones in said filter, whereby the lipophilic fluid is purified by saidremoval component and the purified fluid contacts said additioncomponent.
 2. The process according to claim 1 wherein the contaminantis selected from the group consisting of surfactants, dyes, lipids,soils, water, non-silicone additives containing nitrogen and a polar orhydrogen bonding bead group, and mixtures thereof.
 3. The processaccording to claim 1 where in the lipophilic fluid comprises a cyclicorganosilicone.
 4. The process according to claim 1 wherein thelipophilic fluid comprises a cyclic organosilicone selected from thegroup consisting of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane,decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, andmixtures thereof.
 5. The process according to claim 1 wherein thelipophilic fluid comprises decamethylcyclopentasiloxane.
 6. The processaccording to claim 1 wherein the polar agent has the formula:Y_(a)—O_(b)X wherein Y is Si, Al, Ti, P; a is from about 1 to about 5; bis from about 1 to about 10; and X is a metal.
 7. The process accordingto claim 1 wherein the polar agent is selected from the group consistingof silica, diatomaceous earth, aluminosilicates, polyamide resin,alumina, hydrogels, zeolites and mixtures thereof.
 8. The processaccording to claim 7 wherein the polar agent comprises silica gel. 9.The process according to claim 1 wherein the apolar agent is selectedfrom the group consisting of activated carbon, polystyrene,polyethylene, polydivinylbenzene and mixtures thereof.
 10. The processaccording to claim 1 wherein the charged agent has the formula:[W-Z]T wherein W is Si, Al, Ti, P, or a polymer backbone; Z is a chargedsubstituent group and T is a counterion selected from alkaline, alkalineearth metals and mixtures thereof.
 11. The process according to claim 10wherein the polymer backbone is selected from the group consisting ofpolystyrene, polyethylene, polydivinyl benzene, polyacrylic acid,polyacrylamide, polysaccharide, polyvinyl alcohol, copolymers of theseand mixtures thereof.
 12. The process according to claim 10 wherein thecharged substituent comprises sulfonates, phosphates, quaternaryammonium salts and mixture thereof.
 13. The process according to claim10 wherein the charged substituent is selected from the group consistingof alcohols; diols; salts of carboxylates, primary amines, secondaryamines and mixtures thereof.
 14. The process according to claim 10wherein W comprises from about 1% to about 15% by weight of the chargedagent.
 15. The process according to claim 10 wherein said charged agentis capable of regeneration such that the charged agent can release thecontaminant that it removes upon being exposed to an environmentalcondition.
 16. The process according to claim 10 wherein said chargedagent exhibits a pK_(a) or pK_(b) of from about 2 to about
 8. 17. Theprocess according to claim 10 wherein the charged agent releases thecontaminant upon being exposed to one or more of the following: acids,bases and salts.
 18. The process according to claim 1 wherein theremoval component and addition component are housed within a filterhousing.
 19. The process according to claim 18 wherein the filterhousing comprises an external wall that substantially encases theremoval component and addition component.